MANHOLE TWIST

Abstract

 The idea of the Twist Manhole has its origins in the need of solving one of the problems that arise during the execution of works regarding the restoration of road surfaces. In fact, when a road is rebuilt, the finished level of the road surface matches the level of the manhole's top surface. Later, when intervention works are going to be made on the restoration works of the existing asphalt surface with the installation of an additional layer, because the height of manholes currently in the market can only be modified by carrying out construction work, it happens that the same ones are being left the same in order to avoid the need of carrying put further construction works around the manhole. The Twist Manhole has been designed to address this specific issue. In fact, with a simple twisting movement, clockwise or counterclockwise, and thanks to a four-armed tool, it is possible to increase or reduce the height of the manhole itself.

Description

[0001] The idea of the Twist Manhole has its origins in the need of solving one of the problems that arise during the execution of works regarding the restoration of road surfaces. In fact, when a road is rebuilt, the finished level of the road surface matches the level of the manhole's top surface (extrados). Later, when intervention works are going to be made on the restoration works of the existing asphalt surface with the installation of an additional layer, because the height of manholes currently in the market can only be modified by carrying out construction work, it happens that the same ones are being left the same in order to avoid the need of carrying out further construction works around the manhole. This generates significant inconveniences for the drivers and riders (of cars, motorcycles and bicycles), as they could seriously damage themselves or their vehicles.

[0002] The Twist Manhole has been designed to address this specific issue. In fact, with a simple twisting movement, clockwise or counterclockwise, and thanks to a four-armed tool, it is possible to increase or reduce the height of the manhole itself (This is why the manhole it's called "Twist"). This simple rotation allows to increase or reduce the height of the manhole and make it match the height of the asphalt surface when such surface raises because of additional layers or other construction works with the same result, or when the surface level drops because of the pressure that cars and other factors put on the asphalt. This will mean a significant reduction of costs for the institutions.

[0003] The Twist manhole consists of the following:

1. A base made of metal (ductile cast iron at least 1 cm thick), with a side, between 60 cm and 100 cm, with an inner cylinder with a threading (2 cm minimum pitch) to allow for a seamless rotation;

2. A central ring made of metal (ductile cast iron at least 1 cm thick), being this ring a cylinder with a diameter between 60 cm and 100 cm, with a height 15 cm minimum consisting of an external threading (2 cm minimum pitch) and an upper edge, in such a way as to ensure tightness so that there are no dust infiltrations into the thread. Inside the ring there are also four vertical holes, in such a way as to allow the insertion of the twisting tool. In the moment of the installation the ring must be mounted at half of the thread, in a way that allows both the raising and the lowering of the height of the manhole. And finally, inside the ring there are also fastening pins to keep the ring from twisting once the desired height is reached;

3. A P.V.C. or thermoplastic ring of a variable size to protect the thread from dust infiltrations and corrosion. The ring is inserted when the thread could get in direct contact with the soil. This protection can also be increased or decreased, depending on the desired height;

4. A steel tool with at least three vertical arms that are inserted in the four vertical holes of the ring described above, and two reinforced handles with two rings to ease the rotation of the tool (clockwise and counterclockwise).

5. A cast iron closing cover with an opening and closing system consisting of two slots on its end. The opening and closing is carried out with two metal keys that are inserted in the slots in the two sides of the cover. The keys are rotated 90° and in this way the cover can be raised and removed.

[0004] The main technical characteristic that is claimed is that with a simple twisting movement in both clockwise and counterclockwise using a four-arm tool allows to increase or decrease the height share of the Manhole. Such a simple rotation then allows to increase or decrease the height of the Manhole and make it coincide with that of the bituminous layer when these are lifted up due to the additional deposition poses of layers or other types of low work.

[0005] The points to be claimed are expressly reported with reference numbers in the attached drawing

Claims

1. A base made of metal (ductile cast iron at least 1 cm thick), with a side, between 60 cm and 100 cm, with an inner cylinder with a threading (2 cm minimum pitch) to allow for a seamless rotation;

2. A central ring made of metal (ductile cast iron at least 1 cm thick), being this ring a cylinder with a diameter between 60 cm and 100 cm, with a height 15 cm minimum consisting of an external threading (2 cm minimum pitch) and an upper edge, in such a way as to ensure tightness so that there are no dust infiltrations into the thread. Inside the ring there are also four vertical holes, in such a way as to allow the insertion of the twisting tool. In the moment of the installation the ring must be mounted at half of the thread, in a way that allows both the raising and the lowering of the height of the manhole. And finally, inside the ring there are also fastening pins to keep the ring from twisting once the desired height is reached;

3. A P.V.C. or thermoplastic ring of a variable size to protect the thread from dust infiltrations and corrosion. The ring is inserted when the thread could get in direct contact with the soil. This protection can also be increased or decreased, depending on the desired height;

4. A steel tool with at least three vertical arms that are inserted in the four vertical holes of the ring described above, and two reinforced handles with two rings to ease the rotation of the tool (clockwise and counterclockwise).

5. A cast iron closing cover with an opening and closing system consisting of two slots on its end. The opening and closing is carried out with two metal keys that are inserted in the slots in the two sides of the cover. The keys are rotated 90° and in this way the cover can be raised and removed.

6. The main technical characteristic that is claimed is that with a simple twisting movement in both clockwise and counterclockwise using a four-arm tool allows to increase or decrease the height share of the Manhole. Such a simple rotation then allows to increase or decrease the height of the Manhole and make it coincide with that of the bituminous layer when these are lifted up due to the additional deposition poses of layers or other types of low work.
The points to be claimed are expressly reported with reference numbers in the attached drawing.

Drawing